Resilience defined San Francisco's defense. PFF grades highlight timely stops and depth weathering injuries to secure a Wild Card road victory.
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t overwhelm the Philadelphia Eagles with splash plays in their 23–19 Wild Card victory, but the defense delivered exactly what playoff football demands: timely stops, sound tackling at the second level, and just enough resistance to survive late. Pro Football Focus grades paint the picture of a unit that bent often, rarely broke, and leaned heavily on leadership and depth to close out a road win.
San Francisco entered the matchup already stretched thin defensively, and the attrition continued throughout the game. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown was the defense’s highest-graded player, earning a 78.9 grade across 31 snaps before exiting with a hamstring injury. Before leaving, Brown set the tone on the back end, allowing just one reception for one yard and posting a team-best 72.1 coverage grade. His range and decisiveness limited explosive plays early and forced the 49ers to adjust once he departed.
Brown’s injury pushed Marques Sigle into a larger role, and the rookie responded with one of the most encouraging performances of the night. Sigle earned a 73.1 defensive grade over 40 snaps, finishing as the team’s second-highest graded defender. His ability to step in mid-game and communicate effectively helped stabilize a secondary that was under constant pressure in a hostile environment.
Cornerback Renardo Green also played a major role, logging 73 snaps and earning a 71.5 grade. Green’s consistency in coverage allowed the 49ers to stay disciplined on the outside, particularly in the second half as Philadelphia tried to find rhythm through the air. While not a flashy performance, it was a reliable one.
Perhaps the most important performance came from linebacker Eric Kendricks, who continues to prove his value beyond the box score. Kendricks earned a 68.3 defensive grade while playing all 73 snaps and posted the highest tackling grade of the entire game at 84.2. He finished with 10 tackles and a pass defensed, but his impact was felt most in his leadership. With the 49ers starting their fifth, sixth, and seventh string linebackers of the season respectively, Kendricks became the on field quarterback of the defense, culminating in a critical fourth-down pass breakup late that sealed the win.
While the back seven largely held up, the trenches told a different story. The interior defensive line struggled to generate consistent push, particularly against the run. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott had the toughest outing of the group, earning a 29.0 overall grade. Elliott also posted the lowest run-defense grade (30.2) and tackling grade (26.2) on the team, finishing with a missed tackle and difficulties disengaging from blocks throughout the game.
Clelin Ferrell (40.8), Kalia Davis (41.4), and Alfred Collins (42.4) also graded poorly, highlighting San Francisco’s ongoing issues controlling the line of scrimmage. Those struggles forced linebackers and safeties to clean up plays at the second level far more often than ideal.
The pass rush, while active, failed to consistently disrupt the Eagles’ quarterback. Rookie defensive tackle CJ West was the 49ers’ highest-graded pass rusher at just 60.5, underscoring how difficult it was to win one-on-one matchups up front. Keion White led the team with four pressures, followed by Yetur Gross-Matos with three, but finishing plays remained an issue. Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu posted the lowest pass-rushing grade of the game at 47.5, though he did rebound with strong run defense later on.
Coverage was a mixed bag. Ji’Ayir Brown’s early dominance contrasted sharply with a difficult night for Deommodore Lenoir, who earned a 45.0 defensive grade and a team-low 46.0 coverage mark. Lenoir allowed five receptions for 47 yards on eight targets, marking one of his rougher performances of the season.
Despite those challenges, tackling and situational execution ultimately swung the game in San Francisco’s favor. Kendricks’ reliability, timely third-down stops, and the defense’s ability to force three-and-outs in the second half allowed the 49ers to overcome missed tackles and inconsistent trench play. Missed tackles were spread across the unit, with Malik Mustapha and Garret Wallow leading the way with two apiece, but none proved fatal.
The PFF grades reflect a defense that leaned on depth, leadership, and resolve rather than dominance. As the 49ers advance, improvements in the trenches will be necessary, but the ability to close out a playoff game on the road speaks to the toughness of this group.